Meta-Ecosystems 2.0: Rooting the Theory into the Field.
- Gounand I Eawag, Department of Aquatic Ecology, Überlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; University of Zurich, Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland. Electronic address: isabelle.gounand@eawag.ch.
- Harvey E Eawag, Department of Aquatic Ecology, Überlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; University of Zurich, Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
- Little CJ Eawag, Department of Aquatic Ecology, Überlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; University of Zurich, Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
- Altermatt F Eawag, Department of Aquatic Ecology, Überlandstrasse 133, CH-8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; University of Zurich, Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
- 2017-11-06
Published in:
- Trends in ecology & evolution. - 2018
animal movement
landscape
meta-ecosystem
metacommunity
resource flow
subsidy
Ecology
Ecosystem
Meta-Analysis as Topic
Models, Biological
English
The meta-ecosystem framework demonstrates the significance of among-ecosystem spatial flows for ecosystem dynamics and has fostered a rich body of theory. The high level of abstraction of the models, however, impedes applications to empirical systems. We argue that further understanding of spatial dynamics in natural systems strongly depends on dense exchanges between field and theory. From empiricists, more and specific quantifications of spatial flows are needed, defined by the major categories of organismal movement (dispersal, foraging, life-cycle, and migration). In parallel, the theoretical framework must account for the distinct spatial scales at which these naturally common spatial flows occur. Integrating all levels of spatial connections among landscape elements will upgrade and unify landscape and meta-ecosystem ecology into a single framework for spatial ecology.
- Language
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- English
- Open access status
- green
- Identifiers
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- DOI 10.1016/j.tree.2017.10.006
- PMID 29102408
- Persistent URL
- https://folia.unifr.ch/global/documents/258052
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